DIETARY HABITS AND ENERGY DRINK CONSUMPTION PATTERNS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE AMONG MALE STUDENTS IN FEDERAL COOPERATIVE COLLEGE, ELEYELE, IBADAN

Abstract

Proper nutrition is a cornerstone of athletic performance, influencing energy balance, muscle recovery, and endurance. Among student-athletes, dietary behaviors are often shaped by academic pressures, time constraints, and the growing availability of stimulant beverages such as energy drinks. This study investigated the relationship between dietary habits, energy drink consumption patterns, and athletic performance among male student-athletes in the Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan. Recognizing the growing concern over poor dietary choices and stimulant beverage use among young athletes, the research aimed to assess how these behaviors influence physical endurance, focus, and recovery. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected from 130 randomly selected male student-athletes representing four major sports disciplines. A structured, self-administered questionnaire, validated through expert review, was used to obtain information on dietary diversity, energy drink use, and self-reported performance levels. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that 58.5% of the respondents frequently skipped breakfast, while only 37% reported daily fruit intake, resulting in a moderate mean dietary diversity score (M = 4.6 ± 1.3). Additionally, 68% consumed energy drinks weekly, and 21% used them daily, citing enhanced alertness and fatigue reduction as key motivations. A significant positive correlation existed between dietary diversity and athletic performance (r = 0.46, p < 0.01), while frequent energy drink use negatively predicted sleep quality (β = -0.31, p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that dietary habits contributed more strongly to performance (β = 0.38, p < 0.01) than energy drink consumption (β = 0.19, p < 0.05), accounting for 42% of performance variance. The study concluded that balanced nutrition promotes sustained performance, while reliance on energy drinks provides only short-term benefits with possible health risks.